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Yes indeed - quite a lot of riders on it now including Richie Rude, Luke Meir-Smith, Loris Vergier etc. Boobar knows his stuff, for sure!

http://www.pademelon.cc should do it - I had the same 404 without it.

@Danimal - yes, the damping doesn't start until around 30 degrees in either direction. It sounds like it'd be disconcerting but its very intuitive. Really good in chunky rock gardens, rough corners, keeping a high-line and properly reduces arm pump on long descents. Very good stuff.

I'm sure there are just as many people interested in new tech tinkering as there are dead against it, but it's worth mentioning the Pademelon steering dampers are now available. I've been running one for nearly a year and have a hard time riding a bike without one on now. Don't work for the business but I'm happy to answer any questions people might have.

pademelon.cc

Cheers! It's super annoying how iPhone does that isn't it?

It's a Kavenz VHP 160. They're a German brand, and the frame can basically be anything from 140mm travel up to 200. I've got an older frame from them which is currently being built into a DH bike with a Boxxer. Will put up some pictures when it's done.

That's absolutely the sort of scenario where a damper would help! For reference it is really good at stopping your arms fatiguing while climbing, basically you're not correcting a shit load of sideways, deflecting movements the whole time. It's the same for techy rock stuff.

It's also really good at saving your arse if you're overcommitted and leaning into a corner, then a wet root or loose rock hits the front wheel. It feels like it's catching you and your arms don't have that jolting movement to correct. Amazing once you get used to it..

It's a free movement up to about 30 degrees, then the damping comes in at the amount you set it at (you just need to turn the dial), at which point it feels stiff to move, then the damping stops when your bars are past a certain point so that it doesn't affect tight cornering.

I suppose it sort of feels like an over-tightened headset when the damping is in effect, which is far less unpleasant than it sounds.

Exactly - good brakes are something you can ride without, but can make you faster and safer I suppose. I feel like the added power isn't overwhelming once you learn to modulate, but it can fuck you up pretty quickly if you grab a hand full of brake in a panic!

I've been running the damper for about six months now, and honestly can't imagine not having one on an MTB. Smooths out corners, helps you hold a line, tracks straighter, further eliminates arm pump. Only downside is a bit of faffing if your headset comes loose (and of course, the price).

Thank you! And good question - that's a Pademelon steering damper constructed right here in Maydena. It's being developed by a legend who used to work for Sram Black Box. I'd imagine they're going to be very popular once people work out how great they are!

Honestly very few people need to power of Mavens, but they're amazing for arm pump/fatigue and can get you out of a tight spot for sure.

My new high pivot machine!

He was sacked over some serious allegations of 'misconduct', so I'll leave it up to you to decide what that means.

It was a different frame to the one used at Hardline. His mechanic switched it the week of Crankworx. I watched him hit the road gap in Maydena for testing and the landing to flat bent his pedals. He still used that same frame at Hardline though.

You'd be better off riding somewhere like Glendhu if you're after XC stuff. There are some insane loops there, and its not far from QT.

I reckon there’s probably a few back in the day, but they tend to make videos where there’s a council grant or new trail network going in. Haven’t heard about SA projects unfortunately!

Thanks mate! Them’s some gooood trails :)

Sure am!

My ears pricked up!

Hey Hulsroy - these would be perfect for Melbourne's best bike shop, who act as a sort of mini-distro for smaller businesses like Frameworks Designs. I know them very well if you'd like me to put you in touch.

These are amazing:

https://au.pocsports.com/collections/mountain-biking-armor-knee-protection/products/joint-vpd-system-knee?variant=39607493230773

You really should have Maydena on your list if you're in Aus :)

Anybody doing Ard Rock this weekend?

@pascalo back to the UK in June, and thirsting for more GrAVeL and might as well buy an Arkose, right?

@pascalo it’s still very much a sexy bike, but my partner rides it and I need a new whip there fore ;)

I know I could trawl the classifieds, but is anyone selling a sexy gravgrav bike 54-56cm?

Anybody in the market for a Fujifilm XF 55-200mm and/or XF 35mm lenses? Moving these along so hit me up if interested.

Thinking of driving out to ride at Coed y Brenin today, camping nearby for a few nights if anyone's around/fancies joining.